If you are interested in traveling to Hong Kong, you might want to know more about the economic, legal, and political systems of the city. You will also learn about the legal status of women in Hong Kong. The following article will provide some basic information about these areas. After reading this article, you will be able to plan a trip to Hong Kong that is safe and easy to navigate. You’ll learn about the different aspects of Hong Kong’s economy, including its political system and legal status of women.
Economic environment of Hong Kong
The government of Hong Kong is very supportive of a free economy. The judicial system plays a vital role in the economy, as it is independent and ensures the rule of law in all fields. Before handing over Hong Kong to China, the government had already set the rules for rule of law in the economy. This rule of law is crucial for free enterprise in Hong Kong, as it guarantees private property rights and prevents government interference.
Geographical and size constraints have severely limited the economic activities in Hong Kong, which are dominated by the service sector. Despite the fact that Hong Kong is linked to China by land, the territory is relatively poor in natural resources, including water and minerals. Large manufacturing establishments have had to rely on China for raw materials and water. The economy of Hong Kong has relied on imports from China for food and raw materials. Hong Kong’s population and geography make it hard for the economy to develop without these resources.
Political system of Hong Kong
The political system of Hong Kong is based on the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is a Special Administrative Region, or SAR, under the Chinese government, and the constitution of the SAR contains constitutional guarantees for one country, two systems. Hong Kong’s constitution, known as the Basic Law, was enacted by the National People’s Congress of China in March 1990 and entered into force on 1 July 1997.
Under the new system, the National People’s Congress approved a draft decision on the reform of the electoral system in Hong Kong. The draft decision outlined nine articles, the most significant of which was the inclusion of ‘patriots’ in the SAR administration. It also included an increase in the number of Election Committee members to 1,500 from 1,200 and the number of LegCo members to 90 from 70. However, the new system failed to specify how LegCo members would be elected.
Legal system of Hong Kong
The legal system in Hong Kong is a complex one, involving a highly-regarded judiciary. There are two levels of courts: first instance and appellate. These courts have jurisdiction over almost every aspect of legal dispute and are independent of the legislative and executive branches. Judges are chosen from the barrister branch of the legal profession and are usually very experienced in their field. These judges are also often from other common-law jurisdictions.
In spite of the recent changes, Hong Kong has maintained its common law system. Its proximity to mainland China makes the difference between the legal systems very slight. However, the recent referendum will allow the city to fine-tune its legal system and maintain social order. It will also allow the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” and encourage prosperity. This is a win-win situation for everyone in Hong Kong. If you are in need of legal help, the government’s Office of Justice will be there to help you.
Legal status of women in Hong Kong
As of 1 July 1997, the SAR Government has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which prohibits gender discrimination. However, many women and minority groups continue to face discrimination, particularly in the workplace. Despite the law, there are still concerns about the job prospects of minority groups in Hong Kong. Minority groups are more likely to hold low-skilled jobs and earn below-average wages.
In recent elections, several experts expressed concern about Hong Kong’s electoral system, arguing that it was an indirect barrier to fair representation of women. Another expert wondered if indirect discrimination existed within functional constituencies, and urged the Government to reconsider the implementation of one-person-one-vote. Nonetheless, the report urged the government to consider affirmative action measures to increase the proportion of women in legislative bodies.